Daragh Ó Conchúir reports.
The draws for the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Camogie Championships were made last evening.
Déise Destined for Group 3
Sean Power's Waterford have been drawn in group 3 along with the side they beat in last year's quarter-final, Limerick, as well as an up-and-coming Antrim and a rebuilding Offaly. All four teams have been competing in Division 1B of the Very Ireland National Leagues and indeed, Limerick and Offaly cross swords on Saturday in a crucial tie where the loser will drop to third tier, Division 2A.
The Déise meanwhile, will round out their league run with the Down coming to town on Saturday (March 25th) at midday. The home side are top of the table ahead of their final outing and will be looking to consolidate that position with a fifth straight win in the competition.
The Championship starts for Waterford on the first weekend of June when they are away to Offaly, that's followed by a week off before they travel to face Limerick and then the group stage is brought to a close with Antrim making the trip South on July 1st/2nd.
The Defending Champions
As a result of last night's draw, Kilkenny will get the defence of their senior title underway in a group involving Dublin, Tipperary and Wexford.
Brian Dowling’s outfit edged out Cork in the All-Ireland final last August courtesy of a late goal by substitute Sophie Dwyer and a dramatic winning point from Denise Gaule.
The Runners Up
It was a second consecutive defeat in the decider for the Rebels and as if they needed any further motivation, they have been drawn in Group 2 along with Galway, who got the better of them in the 2021 decider. They are joined by Clare and Down.
Cork and Galway will get the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Championships off to a blockbuster start as they do battle in the opening round at a Galway venue on the weekend June 3rd-4th.
It isn’t the only weekend outing that has had a bit of extra spice added as a result of the draw, as Cork and Galway go head to head with the Tribeswomen needing a positive result to be in with a chance of making the final and defending their League crown, while Tipperary and Kilkenny also clash in a mouth-watering local derby that if the Premiers win, will see them play in a first national final decider since losing the 2009 League final to Wexford.
The Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Intermediate Championship will get underway on the weekend of May 27th-28th. Champions Galway have been given the stiff task of emerging from a five-team group involving the second strings of Cork, Dublin and Kilkenny, as well as Kildare. Group 2 involves last year’s Premier Junior winners Antrim, Derry, Carlow and Wexford’s second team, while Meath, Laois, Kerry and Westmeath make up Group 3.
There are also three groups in the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Premier Junior Championship, which also starts on May 27th-28th. Group 1 is a three-team affair comprising Cavan, Wicklow and Tipperary.
The other two groups are made up of four teams, with Armagh, Mayo, Limerick and Offaly in Group 2 and Clare, Louth, Tyrone and Roscommon in Group 3.
Qualification criteria
As in previous years, six teams will qualify for the knockout stages of the Glen Dimplex Senior All-Ireland Championships, two from each group. Two of the three group winners will advance directly to the semi-finals, with one team joining the other three second-placed teams in the quarter-finals.
The identity of those straight to the semi-final will be determined by a draw involving the three group winners.
The quarter-final pairings will be decided by an open draw but there will be no repeat pairings. i.e. the group winners participating in the quarter-final cannot play the runner-up from their group.
Hilda Breslin, Uachtaraán Cumann Camógaíochta said: “The Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Championship draws always throw up exciting pairings and interesting discussions, and this year is no different. I want to thank our sponsors Glen Dimplex for their invaluable support in year two of our partnership together. I wish all our players and counties good luck and success in what promises to be a thrilling championship. We look forward to a summer of excitement and continuation of the great action we have seen during the National League this year.”
Mike Cavanagh, Glen Dimplex Head of Communications said: “We are extremely excited to be sponsors of the Camogie All-Ireland Championships, particularly following the athleticism, skill, determination and passion on display at last years’ championships. We are delighted to be part of these great moments in Irish sport, taking place throughout communities across Ireland. We wish all the Premier Junior, Intermediate and Senior teams the very best of luck.”
Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Senior Championship
Group 1: Cork, Galway, Clare, Down
Group 2: Kilkenny, Dublin, Tipperary, Wexford
Group 3: Waterford, Limerick, Antrim, Offaly
Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Intermediate Championship
Group 1: Cork, Dublin, Kilkenny, Kildare, Galway
Group 2: Derry, Wexford, Carlow, Antrim
Group 3: Meath, Laois, Kerry, Westmeath
Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Premier Junior Championship
Group 1: Cavan, Wicklow, Tipperary
Group 2: Armagh, Mayo, Limerick, Offaly
Group 3: Clare, Louth, Tyrone, Roscommon
